How To: Get Out Of Jams

We've all been there. You know, when we think our day couldn't get any worse... until it does.

Well, here are the answers to the 5 most popular jams that AskMen.com readers have encountered; even if these have never happened to you, you never know when they will. And knowledge is your safest ticket out.

lost on the highway

Imagine you're on the road for a business meeting, which requires you to take the highway to another city — one that you've never been to before. Besides your tardiness, you seem to have taken a wrong exit, which led to another wrong exit, which led to your being in the middle of nowhere.

As you're driving, you hope to see a gas station or better yet, the Golden Arches in the distance, but no such luck. You're lost, and you don't know whether you're in Tim, Buk or Tu.

What do you do? If you don't see an exit sign for miles ahead, then you can use the posts that are planted on the side of the road (you can see them if you go onto the shoulder of the highway; there should be one every few miles). The number indicated on the post says nothing to you, but it tells the Highway Patrol exactly where you are.

Call Roadside Assistance (there should be a phone number on an information highway sign; drive until you see one), or call the American Automobile Association (AAA) or an equivalent association; they are sure to know whom to call, if they can't help you.

Make the call, tell them you're lost, and give them whatever information they need for you to find your way back home.

Next time... Always have the necessary maps and phone numbers in your car, in case you do need roadside assistance.

find a public restroom

The degree of this situation really depends on where you are. Think back to the time when you regretted eating that burrito... with extra refried beans and cheese. You need to find a public restroom, and you need one now.

What do you do? If you're on the road, try to look for the nearest gas station, restaurant, or public anything .

If there's nothing but cars, grass and highway around you, just park your car on the shoulder of the road, put your hazard lights on, and go to a grassy area that is more secluded so that you don't get arrested for indecent exposure. This is probably a better option in the evening or night.

Okay, that's the worst-case scenario, but unfortunately, if you can't find a public outlet anywhere — whether it's a service station, 7/11 or even picnic area, and your digestive system is making the decision for you — then this is your only option. Your secret's safe with me.

If you're on the street and you want to find the cleanest washroom, here are your options:

1- a hotel (the cleanest washrooms you'll find).2- a department store or mall.3- a restaurant or café (McDonald's usually has the best washrooms, but you might have to ask for a key; if you have to be customer to get a key, just get a drink).4- a library.

If you're desperate, just go wherever you find a potty and forget about cleanliness.

Next time... This is one of those jams no one wants to be in, so the best thing to do is take preventive measures. If you know you're going to be on the road for hours in a rather desolate area, don't overload yourself with food (especially not heavy food) before heading out. If you know cheese tends to upset your stomach, hold off on that piece of cheesecake, no matter how good the strawberries look.

Also, when you're walking around town, get to know where the best bathrooms are. Take mental notes next time you're in a mall bathroom, for example, so that you'll know how to get there fastest if and when needed.